Many percussion instruments are played with the hands, so some basic hand techniques are essential. These techniques include:
* Drum Roll: This is the technique of playing a rapid succession of notes on a drum. To perform a drum roll, hold your hands in a relaxed position and strike the drum with your fingertips or hands parallel to the drum. Roll your fingers or hands back and forth so that they play a continuous succession of notes on the drum.
* Single-Stroke Roll: This is similar to the drum roll, but consists of a series of single notes played in quick succession. To create a single-stroke roll, strike the drum once with each finger or hand, in a continuous and even motion.
* Open-Hand Roll: This is a variation of the drum roll, where the palms of your hands are involved. To perform an open-hand roll, hold your hands in a relaxed position and spread your fingers, so that they are flat and open. Strike the drum with the palms of your hands, rolling your hands back and forth so that they play a continuous succession of notes.
* Double-Hand Roll: This is the most complex hand technique, where both hands are used to play the drum simultaneously. To perform a double-hand roll, hold one hand in a relaxed position over the drum and the other hand palm down underneath the drum. Strike the drum with both hands simultaneously, rolling your hands back and forth so that they play a continuous succession of notes.
Additional Techniques
In addition to the basic hand techniques, there are a number of other techniques that can be used to play percussion instruments. These include:
* Stick Playing: Some percussion instruments, such as xylophones and marimbas, are played with sticks. To play stick percussion, hold the sticks between your thumb and forefinger and strike the bars of the instrument with the tips of the sticks. You can vary the sound by playing different notes on the instrument, and by experimenting with different stick movements and techniques.
* Shaking and Scraping: Some percussion instruments, such as tambourines and claves, are played by shaking or scraping them. To shake an instrument, hold it in your hand and move your wrist back and forth. You can also shake the instrument by holding it between your thumb and forefinger and moving your hand up and down. To scrape an instrument, hold it in one hand and use the other hand to scrape it with a stick or other object.
* Plucking and Striking: Some percussion instruments, such as guitars and banjos, are played by plucking or striking the strings. To pluck a string, use your finger or a pick to pull it away from the body of the instrument. To strike a string, use your finger or a drumstick to hit the string directly.
* Blowing: Some percussion instruments, such as whistles and recorders, are played by blowing air into them. To play a wind percussion instrument, hold the instrument in your hand and blow into the mouthpiece. You can vary the sound by changing the amount of air that you blow into the instrument, and by covering and uncovering the holes in the instrument with your fingers.
With a little practice, you can learn to play a variety of percussion instruments and enjoy making music.